4 ms·
To make your own summaries you need to understand and think about the source material. I get more value from reading the book and analyzing it rather than glanc
by duckmysick 4y ago
To make your own summaries you need to understand and think about the source material. I get more value from reading the book and analyzing it rather than glancing at the too-long-didn't-read version of notes somebody else wrote.
For example, the entire Checklist Manifesto book can be distilled to one sentence: break down crucial procedures into checklists and follow them. That's the core message. The 1%. On its own it means nothing to me. I can re-read it hundreds of times and it won't change my life. I'll recognize it but I won't understand it.
I need time to process my thoughts. Let the ideas marinate in my brain so to speak. I won't get much out of a book if I read it cover to cover in one sitting either.
My way to study a subject is to read not just one book, but 2 or 3 more from different authors. This way I can compare their opinions, find common things, see where they disagree, find the answers to questions I wrote down during my first read. Then I can take those ideas and make them my own.
Yes, it takes time. There's no shortcuts when I want to understand something.
As for the 99% filler content - I don't have to read it. When I read I ask myself "What's the goal of this section? What does the author try to achieve?". Often, I find a good reason. If not, I'll skip it. I can always return to it later. I have that option. I can't do that with summaries because they are lossy compression. I can't get more out of them because it's not there.
Sure, I can do my own research and look for it on the internet or interview relevant people. But at this point, I might as well write my own book.